Indonesia records 28-month high in March aluminium exports as US offtake strengthens

Indonesia’s unwrought aluminium exports rose to their highest level in 28 months in March 2026, rising by over 100 per cent month-on-month, amounting to 88,554 tons against February’s 33,490 tons, based on data by Statistics Indonesia and Trade Data Monitor.

This surge is attributed to the availability of new supplies from the expanded smelting facilities and a change in shipping flows, which include an unusual shipment to the United States. Analysts attribute the rise to the constrained global supply situation amid persistent geopolitical instability in the Middle East that has affected aluminium logistics.

A key contributor to the March export spike was the first dispatches from the Weda Bay industrial complex on Halmahera Island. The smelter, backed by China’s Tsingshan Holding Group and Xinfa Group, recently commenced operations and has begun feeding international markets.

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Export data shows Weda Bay shipped three initial cargoes during the month, including 18,500 tonnes to the United States, a market that typically sources a large share of its aluminium requirements from Gulf producers. Additional volumes included 10,000 tonnes to China and 8,000 tonnes to South Korea.

Indonesia also expanded its footprint in Europe, exporting 6,000 tonnes of aluminium to Italy in March. Earlier data indicate the European Union imported 1,860 tonnes of Indonesian aluminium in February, excluding Greece.

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